Chiefs vs Patriots: Why Kansas City Has No Answer for Rob Gronkowski

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has turned himself from a second-round pick into arguably the NFL's best tight end in the span of roughly 18 months. 

The Arizona product currently leads all NFL tight ends in touchdowns with eight, is second in yards (709) and tied for second in receptions (52). And that is in a Patriots offense that has Wes Welker in it, the guy who leads the NFL in receptions (72) and yards (1,006).

Gronkowski is big (6'6" and 265 pounds), strong and ridiculously athletic for a guy his size and has shown incredible hands in just his second year in the league. Quarterback Tom Brady trusts him immensely as he knows he can just toss the ball up in Gronkowski's direction and the big guy will almost always haul it in.

On Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, expect Gronkowski to have yet another outstanding performance. While the Chiefs have improved defensively this season, they don't have anyone in the linebacking corps or secondary to match up with Gronk's size or athleticism. 

Normally that task would fall to their playmaking safety Eric Berry, but he has been out for the season with a torn ACL and guys like Jon McGraw and Kendrick Lewis just aren't in Berry's class.

I expect Kansas City to try and bump Gronkowski at the line, while using linebackers Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher in short coverage on him before releasing the 22-year-old tight end to a safety for deeper coverage.

I don't think it will work because Brady is so good at finding the gaps in defenses, and I think Gronkowski will make his money in between the linebackers and safeties. Expect a big night from the big tight end, especially with Wes Welker matched up one-on-one with Kansas City's Brandon Flowers, who is turning into an elite cover corner.